More than 20,000 migrants have crossed Channel since Sir Keir Starmer became PM

A TOTAL of 20,110 migrants have now crossed the Channel since Sir Keir Starmer became PM.

Two boats carrying 122 people arrived early yesterday — as Labour faced criticism for omitting border controls from its “five missions”.

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Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said immigration will feature in Sir Keir’s “plan for change” speech on Thursday.

But he rejected calls for a net migration target despite last year’s record 906,000 influx.

Mr McFadden said yesterday: “We do want to bring it down. The exact number you need will always ebb and flow depending on the needs of the economy.”

 Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the figures were an inevitable consequence of Starmer’s “weak and vacuous policy”.

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Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to impose a cap on the numbers allowed to enter the UK.

Sir Keir last week vowed to slash both legal and illegal arrivals, with a plan expected in the New Year.

But yesterday it was revealed he is plotting a deal with Brussels to accept more EU students in return for stronger trading ties.

The “cultural enrichment programme” would see them visit for a fixed time, said The Sunday Times.

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The EU has been pushing for a youth mobility scheme for under-30s.

Referring to possible closer EU links, Mr McFadden added: “I don’t think this question of a youth mobility scheme is going to be part of that.

“But we are in discussions about making sure our trading relationships with our closest and biggest partner, even after Brexit, are better than they’ve been.”

The Migration Advisory Committee’s Prof Brian Bell said ministers would struggle to cut net migration while setting high targets for attracting foreign students.